The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police conducted a raid in Keonjhar district, resulting in the arrest of a drug peddler and the seizure of narcotics valued at over Rs 50 lakhs. The arrested individual, Debananda Samal (37) from the Anandapur area, was apprehended following an intelligence tip. STF officers, in collaboration with local police, intercepted Samal’s vehicle at Silun Chowk on Sunday.
The search led to the discovery of 520 grams of brown sugar, along with the seizure of a Maruti Alto Car and other related materials. The lack of valid authority for the possession of the contraband materials resulted in Samal’s arrest. The Keonjhar Town Police have registered a case against him under Section 21(c) of the NDPS Act 1985.
The STF has been actively pursuing a campaign against narcotics, and since 2020, they have seized substantial amounts of brown sugar, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and opium, leading to the arrest of numerous drug dealers and peddlers.